Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Good Friday in St. Peter’s
After the proclamation of the Gospel of John’s account of Christ’s passion, the papal preacher, Father Roberto Pasolini, OFMCap, delivered a homily. VATICAN — Pope Leo XIV presided over the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica on Good Friday during which the preacher of the papal household exhorted Christians to “approach the […]
Pope Leo Speaks With Israeli, Ukrainian Presidents
The pontiff discussed the ongoing wars and exchanged Easter greetings with the two presidents. Pope Leo XIV spoke by phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Good Friday. The Vatican said the pope spoke separately with both presidents on April 3. They exchanged Easter and Passover greetings. Leo also spoke […]
What Are the Good Friday Reproaches?
The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), and come from the opening lines of the Latin text of the recitation. The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as the “Improperia” or “Popule Meus” (“My People”), coming from the opening lines of the […]
PHOTOS: Pilgrims Visit Altars of Repose in Rome
On Holy Thursday night, the Eternal City was alight with candlelit altars housing the blessed sacrament. ROME — Hundreds of pilgrims in Rome visited churches to pray before special side altars containing the blessed sacrament, called altars of repose, on Holy Thursday. The altars of repose are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church during […]
Pope Leo XIV: Kneel Beside the Oppressed
On Holy Thursday, the pontiff urged Catholics to imitate Christ’s service in a world marked by brutality. Pope Leo XIV on Holy Thursday returned the Mass of the Lord’s Supper to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, reviving a papal practice last observed there in 2012 under Benedict XVI. Departing from Pope Francis’ custom of […]
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Pope Leo XIV on Holy Thursday returned the Mass of the Lord’s Supper to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, reviving a papal practice last observed there in 2012 under Benedict XVI. Departing from Pope Francis’ custom of celebrating the liturgy in prisons or migrant centers, Leo celebrated the rite in the cathedral of Rome […]
PHOTOS: Holy Thursday Chrism Mass at the Vatican
Chrism Mass includes the blessing of the holy oils that will be used throughout the year in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. Pope Leo XIV celebrated a chrism Mass at the Vatican on April 2, his first as pope after being elected as supreme pontiff in May 2025. […]
5 Ways to Solemnly Celebrate Good Friday
As the Church mourns, Catholics are also called to solemnly observe this holy day. Good Friday is considered for many one of the holiest days of the liturgical year. Part of the Triduum, Good Friday is the day the Church turns its attention to the cross on Calvary. It is the somber day Jesus Christ […]
Pope Leo: Christian Mission Rejects Abuse of Power
At the Holy Thursday chrism Mass, Leo XIV said the Church must reject domination, power, and “calculated strategy” in favor of humble service, unity, and peace. Pope Leo XIV on Holy Thursday proposed Christian mission as an antidote to what he called the “imperialist occupation of the world,” saying it is now a priority to […]
Vatican Observatory Director Praises Artemis II Mission
EWTN News speaks with Jesuit Father Richard A. D’Souza, director of the Vatican Observatory since September 2025. NASA’s Artemis II test flight launched into space on Wednesday evening for an expected 10-day lunar flyby mission. The flight — which is the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century — is a test […]